Engine generator power supply system

Abstract

An engine generator power supply system comprises a plurality of engine generators; a plurality of separate power feed lines for independently feeding power from respective engine generators to a plurality of loads respectively associated with the separate power feed lines; an electromagnetic contactor inserted in each of the power feed lines, the contactor being normally enabled for feeding power to the plurality of loads from one of the engine generators; and a controller for controlling such that the supply of power from a first engine generator to the plurality of loads is switched to the supply of power from a second engine generator to the plurality of loads at a predetermined time interval. The contactors are sequentially enabled upon the switching such that after a first contactor for the supply of power from the first engine generator to a first load is disabled, a second contactor for the supply of power from the first engine generator to a second load continues to be enabled; after disabling of the first contactor and during continued enabling of the second contactor, a third contactor for the supply of power from the second engine generator to the first load is enabled; and after disabling of the second contactor and during continued enabling of the third contactor, a fourth contactor for the supply of power from the second engine generator to the second load is enabled, so that the supply of power to one of the first and second loads is continuous upon the switching.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An engine generator power supply system comprising: a plurality of engine generator;   a plurality of separate power feed lines for independently feeding power from respective engine generators to a plurality of loads respectively associated with the separate power feed lines;   contactor means inserted in each of the power feed lines, said contactor means being normally enabled for feeding power to said plurality of loads from one of the engine generators; and   control means for controlling such that the supply of power from a first engine generator to the plurality of loads is switched to the supply of power from a second engine generator to the plurality of loads at a predetermined time interval,   said contactors being sequentially enabled upon said switching such that after a first contactor for the supply of power from the first engine generator to a first load is disabled, a second contactor for the supply of power from said first engine generator to a second load continues to be enabled; after disabling of said first contactor and during continued enabling of said second contactor, a third contactor for the supply of power from said second engine generator to the first load is enabled; and after disabling of said second contactor and during continued enabling of said third contactor, a fourth contactor for the supply of power from said second engine generator to the second load is enabled, so that the supply of power to one of the first and second loads is continuous upon said switching.   
     
     
       2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said loads comprise radio communication systems. 
     
     
       3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said electric communication systems comprise radio repeaters. 
     
     
       4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a plurality of relays, a plurality of electromagnetic contactors connected between said generators and loads, and a timer for controlling said control means, and time delay relays connected in parallel with some of said electromagnetic contactors, and wherein each of said relays and said electromagnetic contactors is provided with auxiliary contacts connected to control operations of the other relays, the other electromagnetic contactors and of said timer.